KIKIME books

This catalog introduces the Nezu Museum’s collection of works associated with the Rinpa school of Japanese painting, which flourished from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Beginning with Hon’ami Kōetsu and Tawaraya Sōtatsu, the book traces the development of the Rinpa aesthetic through artists including Ogata Kōrin, his brother Ogata Kenzan, Sakai Hōitsu, and Suzuki Kiitsu. It also features works that influenced or preceded the development of the school, offering a glimpse into the distinctive beauty of the Rinpa tradition.

Samiro Yunoki (1922–2024) was one of Japan's most celebrated textile dyeing artists and a key figure in the Folk Craft (Mingei ) movement, known for his bold use of color and hand-dyed textiles.

Samiro Yunoki: 97-Year-Old Dyer – Here and Now was produced by the Matsumoto City Museum of Art for the exhibition Samiro Yunoki: Here and Now, highlighting the artist's creative practice at the age of 97.

This reference book provides an overview of traditional Japanese patterns used from ancient times to the present day. It explains the names, origins, uses, and production techniques of a wide variety of motifs, making it a valuable resource for exploring the history and meaning behind Japanese decorative design.

Published for an exhibition held at the Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki in 2023, this catalog explores the many meanings of the Japanese concept of 農 (nō)—a term that encompasses agriculture, rural life, and the people who work the land. I purchased this catalog during my visit to the exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki. Featuring around 100 carefully selected works from museums across Japan, it introduces the world of nō through the works of artists including Ogawa Usen, Asai Chū, Minami Kunzō, Millet, and Van Gogh. It is a thoughtful exploration of how agriculture and rural life have been interpreted through art across different periods and cultures. Catalogue 土とともに、美術にみる〈農〉の世界

Cover artwork Yuriko Asano

Published for an exhibition at the Chigasaki City Museum of Art, this catalog features vintage Aloha shirts from the 1930s to the 1950s.

I purchased this catalog when I visited the exhibition in Chigasaki. The shirts featured in the book were selected from the collection of Ryoichi Kobayashi, an Aloha shirt collector and the director of the Japanese Aloha shirt brand SUN SURF.

Hyakuchinzu (One Hundred Camellias), a beautifully illustrated collection celebrating the remarkable diversity of camellias in Japan.

A particularly charming feature of the book is the way camellias are displayed in an array of unexpected vessels, transforming everyday objects into flower containers.

I'm a textile designer based in Tokyo.

Here, I'll be sharing art museum catalogs, art books, and craft-related publications that I have collected over the years.

Some were purchased after visiting exhibitions in person. Others were discovered in secondhand bookstores and brought home simply because they caught my eye.

Some have served as references for my textile design work, while others were chosen as souvenirs of memorable exhibitions. A few found their way onto my shelves because I loved the design of the cover itself.

KIKIME Books is a small archive of these discoveries, and the inspirations that continue to shape the way I see and create.